HomeMy WebLinkAbout112116_ra01Regular Agenda Item
Commissioners Office
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA REQUEST
TO: Board of County Commissioners
Philip Morley, County Administrator
FROM: Leslie Locke, Executive Assistant
DATE: November 21, 2016
SUBJECT: HEARING re: Setting of Ad Valorem Tax Levies for 2017
STATEMENT OF ISSUE:
Public Hearing re: Setting of Ad Valorem Tax Levies for 2017
ANALYSIS:
State law (RCW 84.55.120) requires that the Commissioners hold a public hearing on the 2017 Ad Valorem
Tax Levies for levy in 2016 and collection in 2017.
FISCAL IMPACT:
See attached documents.
RECOMMENDATION:
Take public testimony on Setting of Ad Valorem Tax Levies for 2017.
Possible action to approve:
Resolution re: Increase for the Jefferson County Conservation Futures Tax Levy for 2017 Taxes
Resolution re: Increase in the Jefferson County General Fund Levy for 2017 Taxes
Resolution re: Increase for the Jefferson County Road Levy for 2017 Taxes
Resolution re: Diversion of Road Levy for Traffic Law Enforcement for the 2017 General Fund Budget
Resolution re: Finding a Substantial Need and Adopting the Limit Factor for the Jefferson County
Conservation Futures Fund Property Tax Levy
Resolution re: Finding a Substantial Need and Adopting the Limit Factor for the Jefferson County General
Fund Property Tax Levy
Resolution re: Finding a Substantial Need and Adopting the Limit Factor for the Jefferson County Road
Fund Property Tax Levy
Resolution re: Declaration of a Financial Emergency in the Jefferson County Conservation Fund Requiring
the use of 2.25% of the Conservation Futures Fund Tax Levy Banked Capacity
Letter to Assessor re: Setting 2017 Real and Personal Property Levy and Refund Amounts
REVIEWED BY:
Philip Morley, County dminis rator Date
1820 Jefferson Street
PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Phil Johnson, District 1 David W. Sullivan, District 2 Kathleen Kler, District 3
November 21, 2016
Jeff Chapman, Assessor
PO Box 1220
Port Townsend, WA 98368
Subject: 2017 Real and Personal Property Levy Amounts
The following are the levy amounts (Real and Personal Property) for the 2017 tax year. Levies have been
set in accordance with law.
Levy Refunds
I.
Total County General Fund Levy
$7,795,095 $14,095
(2016 actual amount @ 101% plus new construction & refunds)
A.
Veterans Relief
(2016 actual amount @ 101% plus new construction)
(45,100)
B.
Mental Health
(2016 actual amount @ 101 % plus new construction)
(44,600)
C.
Developmental Disabilities
(2016 actual amount @ 101 % plus new construction)
(44,600)
D.
Current Expense (Remainder)
7 660 795
Il. Total Road Levy
(2016 actual amount @ 101% plus new construction & refunds)
A. Diversion to Current Expense (Set Amount)
B. County Roads (Remainder)
III. Conservation Futures
(2016 actual amount @ 103.25% (banked) plus new construction & refunds)
Sincerely,
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
$4,361,078 $7,078
(720,000)
3 641 078
235 212 $412
David Sullivan, Member
Phone (360) 385-9100 Fax (360) 385-9382 jeffbocc(dco.jefferson.wa.us
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of an Increase }
in the Jefferson County General } RESOLUTION NO.
Fund Levy for 2017 Taxes }
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners have properly given notice of the
public hearings held regarding setting ad valorem tax levies on November 21, 2016 to consider
the County's Budget for the 2017 calendar year, and pursuant to RCW 84.55.120; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, after hearing, and after duly
considering all relevant evidence and testimony presented, has determined that the County
General Fund requires an increase in property tax revenue from the previous year, in addition to
the increase resulting from the addition of new construction and improvements to property,
refunds, net cancellations/supplementals and any increase in the value of state -assessed property,
in order to discharge the expected expenses and obligations of the County General Fund and in
its' best interest; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that an increase in the regular property tax levy, in addition to any amount resulting from
the addition of new construction and improvements to property, refunds, net
cancellations/supplementals and any increase in the value of state -assessed property, is hereby
authorized for the 2017 County General Fund levy in the amount of $7,707,370.33, which is an
increase of $76,310.60, one percent (1%) from the previous year.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21" day of November, 2016.
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEAL:
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
ATTEST:
David Sullivan, Member
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
Finding a Substantial Need and Adopting } RESOLUTION NO.
the Limit Factor for the Jefferson County }
General Fund Property Tax Levy }
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, in the course of considering the
budget for 2017 has reviewed all sources of revenue and examined all anticipated expenses and
obligations; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined that, due to continued
increased costs for all County Departments and regulation requirements in the areas of Law and
Justice, Health, Public Safety and to protect future levy capacity, the Board of County
Commissioners finds that there is a substantial need to increase the General Fund property tax
limit factor above the rate of inflation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that the limit factor for the General Fund levy for the tax year 2017 shall be 101 percent.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21St day of November, 2016.
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of Diversion of Road Levy }
for Traffic Law Enforcement for the } RESOLUTION NO.
2017 General Fund Budget }
WHEREAS, RCW 36.33.220 authorizes the Board of County Commissioner to divert
any portion of the County Road property taxes to provide traffic law enforcement services in the
unincorporated areas of the County; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners intends to utilize the County Road
Fund monies for the traffic law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of the County;
and,
WHEREAS, Jefferson County has established a revenue account with revenue code
311.20 for the purpose of identifying the County Road fund monies used for traffic enforcement
in the unincorporated areas of the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that the Road Tax Levy collected in 2017 be divided with $720,000 deposited in the
Current Expense Fund and identified as revenue code 311.20, and the remainder deposited in the
County Road Fund.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21St day of November, 2016.
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of an Increase }
For the Jefferson County Road } RESOLUTION NO.
Levy for 2017 Taxes }
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has properly given notice of the public
hearing regarding setting ad valorem tax levies on November 21, 2016, pursuant to RCW
84.55.120 to consider the County Road budget for the 2017 calendar year; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, after hearing, and after duly
considering all relevant evidence and testimony presented, has determined that the County Road
Fund requires an increase in property tax revenue from the previous year, in addition to the
increase resulting from the addition of new construction and improvements to property, refunds,
net cancellations/supplementals and any increase in the value of state -assessed property, in order
to discharge the expected expenses and obligations of the County Road Fund and in its' best
interest.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOL VED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that an increase in the regular property tax levy, in addition to any amount resulting from
the addition of new construction and improvements to property, refunds, net
cancellations/supplementals and any increase in the value of state -assessed property, is hereby
authorized for the 2017 County Road levy in the amount of $4,311,861.53, which is an increase
of $42,691.70, one percent (1%) from the previous year.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21St day of November, 2016.
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
Finding a Substantial Need and Adopting } RESOLUTION NO.
the Limit Factor for the Jefferson County }
Road Fund Property Tax Levy }
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, in the course of considering the
budget for 2017 has reviewed all sources of revenue and examined all anticipated expenses and
obligations; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined that, due to service
demand costs for County Roads and regulation requirements for public safety, and to protect
future levy capacity, the Board of County Commissioners finds that there is a substantial need to
increase the County Road Fund property tax limit factor above the rate of inflation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that the limit factor for the County Road Fund levy for the tax year 2017 shall be 101
percent.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21" day of November, 2016.
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of an Increase for
the Jefferson County Conservation } RESOLUTION NO.
Futures Tax Levy for 2017 Taxes }
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has properly given notice of the public
hearing regarding setting ad valorem tax levies on November 21, 2016, pursuant to RCW 84.55.120
to consider the County Conservation Futures budget for the 2017 calendar year; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, as provided in Ordinance No. 18-1220-04,
has adopted a Resolution declaring a financial emergency in the Jefferson County Conservation
Futures Fund requiring the use of the 2.25% Conservation Futures Fund tax levy banked capacity;
and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, after hearing, and after duly considering
all relevant evidence and testimony presented, has determined that the County Conservation Futures
Fund requires an increase in property tax revenue from the previous year, in addition to the increase
resulting from the addition of new construction and improvements to property, refunds, net
cancellations/supplementals and any increase in the value of state -assessed property, in order to
discharge the expected expenses and obligations of the Conservation Futures Fund and in its' best
interest.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that an increase in the regular property tax levy, in addition to any amount resulting from the
addition of new construction and improvements to property, refunds, cancellations/supplementals
and any increase in the value of state -assessed property, is hereby authorized for the 2017 County
Conservation Futures Fund levy in the amount of $230,904.85, which is an increase of $7,268.19,
three and one quarter percent (3.25%) from the previous year, comprised of one percent (1%) plus an
additional two and one quarter percent (2.25%) of banked capacity.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21" day of November, 2016.
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
Finding A Substantial Need and Adopting } RESOLUTION NO.
the Limit Factor for the Jefferson County }
Conservation Futures Fund Property }
Tax Levy }
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners, in the course of considering the
budget for 2017 has reviewed all sources of revenue and examined all anticipated expenses and
obligations; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has determined that, due to service
demands in the area of acquiring, creating or preserving open space land, farm and agricultural
land, and timber land, and to protect future levy capacity, the Board of County Commissioners
finds that there is a substantial need to increase the Conservation Futures Fund property tax limit
factor above the rate of inflation;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that the limit factor for the Conservation Futures Fund levy for the tax year 2017 shall be
103.25 percent.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21St day of November, 2016.
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member
STATE OF WASHINGTON
County of Jefferson
In the Matter of a Declaration of a Financial }
Emergency in the Jefferson County }
Conservation Futures Fund Requiring the } RESOLUTION NO.
Use of the 2.25% Conservation Futures }
Fund Tax Levy Banked Capacity }
WHEREAS, the citizens of Jefferson County depend on the County Conservation Futures
Fund to retain community character and accomplish the open space policies and objectives of the
Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan that encourage the coordinated acquisition of key open
space lands for long-term protection; and,
WHEREAS, the County confronts a growing need to preserve riparian and wetland
habitats for its threatened and endangered species; and,
WHEREAS, the County is experiencing accelerating impacts from climate change such
as increased flooding; and,
WHEREAS, matching funds are necessary to the acquisition of open space buffers to
limit encroachment upon military training activities locally; and,
WHEREAS, according to the American Public Health Association, people of all ages
enjoy higher levels of health and well-being when they have parks and greenways nearby; and,
WHEREAS, the extent of prime agricultural soils is limited in Jefferson County and its
protection is important to our farm -based economy, food security, and the availability of a
healthy, balanced diet; and,
WHEREAS, demand for substantial local match with which to develop community -
owned forests is anticipated; and,
WHEREAS, the County's cost to purchase its leased parcels through the Washington
Department of Natural Resources Trust Land Transfer Program is likely to increase over time;
and,
WHEREAS, the costs to preserve important open space lands, in general, are likely to
increase over time as the regional population grows and the economy recovers; and,
WHEREAS, the conservation of lands is a voluntary process in partnership with willing
landowners; and,
WHEREAS, landowners often have competing options for selling, transferring or
developing their property, such that opportunities to conserve a property are often very time-
limited; and,
WHEREAS, sponsors of high priority conservation futures projects are routinely forced
to postpone or downscale their conservation applications due to availability shortage of County
Conservation Futures Fund revenues, jeopardizing opportunities to conserve those properties;
and,
WHEREAS, The County Assessor has determined there is 2.25% of County
Conservations Futures Fund Levy Banked Capacity, which for 2017 taxes is calculated to be
$5,031.82; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners has the authority pursuant to state
statute and WAC 458-19-065 to levy any or all of the prior year's unlevied portions of the
maximum property tax levy (known as Banked Capacity) when setting the ad valorem property
tax levies; and,
WHEREAS, Jefferson County Ordinance No. 18-1220-04 establishes criteria for
considering the use of Banked Capacity, including the provision that the Commissioners may by
simple majority vote to declare an emergency to exist by adopting a resolution at a regular public
meeting stating the specific nature of an emergency and the basis of determining the amount of
Banked Capacity that will be levied;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Jefferson
County that as provided in Ordinance No. 18-1220-04 an economic emergency is hereby declared
to exist for the reasons previously stated in this Resolution, which requires the use of the County
Conservations Futures Fund Levy Banked Capacity of 2.25% equal to $5,031.82 for 2017 taxes,
based upon the analysis described in this Resolution.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 21St day of November, 2016.
SEAL:
ATTEST:
Carolyn Avery,
Deputy Clerk of the Board
JEFFERSON COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Kathleen Kler, Chair
Phil Johnson, Member
David Sullivan, Member